Here we go, chapter 10. Probably not the best… but it's a little intro to the next little phase here,. Yes, I've been on hiatus and I'm sorry about that. Enjoy it and leave me some reviews! Xoxo

Disclaimer: you should know this part like it's your BFF.

Chapter 10

It was the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one, and it could not be any truer than for Astoria Greengrass, who finally completed her seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The second Wizarding War was now embedded into the records of history, and Astoria had lived through it only to find a brighter beginning to follow the ending of her childhood.

Stirring from her deep sleep, Astoria rolled toward the middle of the lavish bed, only to smack into a warm lump buried under the covers. Popping one eye open, she took in the sleeping form of her fiancé, Draco Malfoy, who was lightly snoring with a peaceful look on his features. Smiling softly, Astoria traced her fingers along his arm, happy to see him so tranquil. The war had destroyed Draco's family and the young man himself, but things slowly mended much to the happiness of Astoria, who hated to see the hurt and emotional struggle that he had gone through. Life was finally at a stable rhythm and Astoria was more than grateful for it. She gently ran her fingers through Draco's loose blonde locks, tracing along his cheek and resting above his heart, where a thin scar marred the perfect pale flesh. Sighing quietly, the young woman reflected on the past few years and how much things had changed. Never had she imagined that she would fall in love with the cold, contemptuous, arrogant man lying beside her, but it seemed like it was meant to happen from the very beginning. His eyelids fluttered ever so slightly, before his ice-blue irises slowly came into view, and a smile crept onto his lips.

"Have you any idea how amazing it is to wake up to such a beautiful person?"

Smacking him lightly on the arm, Astoria laughed quietly before swinging her legs out of bed and onto the polished wood floors of their posh London flat. She stood and stretched, before picking up a pillow and chucking it at Draco, who had closed his eyes again.

"Up, or you'll be late to work again, darling."

"I'm up, I'm up. Don't kill me, woman."

The couple strolled down the street with venti-cups of coffee in hand, and not a person on the bustling main street noticed the sophisticated pair slip into an alleyway. As they approached the public bathrooms, a queue was already forming with Ministry employees waiting for their turn to take a whirl down the toilets. Leaning in, Astoria placed a peck on Draco's cheek before smirking at him and leaving down the women's stairwell.

Draco tossed his coffee into a bin before sticking his hands into his pocket and leisurely making his way to the queue, ignoring the few looks of contempt that he received from fellow wizards who still could not get over the events of the past several years. He was past all of it, and he had his girlfriend and family. Draco didn't need anything else. As he stepped into a cubicle and carefully insinuated his feet into the toilet, Draco smiled to himself. I must be one of the happiest men on earth, but it really is pitiful that some still can't let go of my past, he thought, before tugging on the pulley.

The Atrium of the Ministry was crowded, full of people making the morning commute and Astoria peered around, searching for Draco. She had become quite the beauty, and attracted looks of admiration from several wizards, which went neglected much to their dismay. They obviously did not notice the brilliant engagement ring on her finger. Suddenly, a violent impact hit her and Astoria stumbled ungainly in her heels, before looking behind her. A catty Pansy Parkinson brushed off her skirt and glanced at Astoria with a heated look.

"Oops, my mistake. Maybe you should watch where you're going, hmm?" A smug smirk graced Pansy's pug-like face and she crossed her arms, as if waiting for an apology.

"Actually, I think it's those traps you call shoes that caused the little mishap, Pansy. If you can't pull off those heels, don't wear them. I think the muggle loafer shop is down the street from the entrances," remarked Astoria, before she caught sight of Draco coming over.

Draco coldly inclined his head at Pansy, whose face had turned beet-red in anger and embarrassment, and took his fiancée's hand.

"I've a meeting in half an hour, let's make our way up."

Astoria nodded, and followed him, leaving a dumbfounded Pansy behind them. Both Draco and Astoria's offices were on Level 5, the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Astoria served as a secretary to the head of the International Magical Office of Law, while Draco was a junior employee of the same division.

As Astoria sat at her reception desk, her best friend and co-worker, Lauren Selwyn slid over and perched on her desk with a smirk on her enchanting face.

"I saw Parkinson as I was coming up; she looked ticked off as hell. Did you have another encounter?" Lauren batted her heavily lashed eyes innocently.

"Sure did, and once again, Draco brushed her off like a fly," Astoria triumphantly grinned, crossing her legs and opening Caroline Bertrand's agenda. It seemed like a rather busy day for her, since the head of her division had all day booked into meetings and the like.

"Good boy. Girl needs to get over it, really. You've been promised to him for years, and you live together. I swear, you two can't be pried off each other for anything. Additionally, you're getting married. She honestly needs to move on and cut the antics," Lauren cackled, sliding off the desk and sauntering to her desk across Astoria's.

"Bertrand's got a meeting with the Minister at 11:30; I'll be doing duties for that meeting because she wants you to make sure that the department head receives the reports on the updated legislation changes."

Astoria nodded and headed off to send the papers, sighing as she saw the long workday stretch out before her.

Draco sat aimlessly at his desk, wishing he could go home already. It felt like years already, how long had he been here? He glanced up at the clock on the wall, and groaned, smacking his forehead onto the rich wood of the desk. It had only been 30 minutes since he entered the office. He and Astoria were obviously in that stage where they couldn't stay away from each other. Perking up suddenly, Draco's features broke into a grin and he ran off, praying to Merlin that his overseer wouldn't catch him.

Within ten minutes, Draco skidded to a halt outside of Astoria's office, and peered in, seeing her hunched over her desk. Sneaking in, the beaming blonde made his way up to her desk and set a single rose onto her desk.

Astoria's head snapped up in surprise as a shuffling sound reached her ears, and she squeaked happily at the sight of Draco.

"Are you kidding me?! You should be getting ready for the board meeting!"

"Couldn't resist," smirked Draco, a beguiling grin on his lips.

"I can tell you couldn't. If you don't get yourself to work, there will be consequences, Draco Abraxas Malfoy!" Astoria threatened, setting down her quill.

Draco waggled his brows at her and leaned in.

"I like consequences though…"

"I don't think my idea of consequences are similar to yours, darling."

Scowling, Draco crossed his arms like a child denied a toy broomstick, and sighed.

"Fine."

"Good boy. Speaking of, I'll be home before you, so you'll be commuting alone."

"Perfect," grumbled Draco, who stalked out of the office grumpily.

Unfortunately for him, his boss intercepted him just as he reached the lifts.

"Mr. Malfoy, where do you think you're going? We have a board meeting in 15 minutes and you haven't even got the files with you," the stern woman tightly questioned him, glaring him down with hawk-like eyes.

"On my way, Madam Crabtree, no need to panic," Draco muttered, wishing he could get a promotion already. As if he could get one with his work ethics, and the woman seemed to sense what he was thinking, for her features had worked into a smirk.

Indeed, the day would be long.